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Phoenix Contact go-fly-a-kite relay connection test

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:47:46 +0000

Phoenix Contact push-in relay "go-fly-a-kite" test demonstrates strength and vibration resistance of its PLC relays with PT retention technology.

Phoenix Contact tested the reliability of the relays using a stunt kite. However, instead of using kite string, it used 18 AWG wire and terminated relays on the end of both wire leads. With wind gusts of up to 40 mile per hour, this test helps to show that our PLC PT relays are a great choice for high vibration applications.

The relay wire connections stayed intact with no backing out. PLC PT Relays equipped with our push-in termination technology have a reliable, long lasting connection, suitable for high vibration applications. The retention force is five times the IEC requirement.

Terminations are made by simply pushing the ferruled wire into the PT terminal, using very little force. No specialized tools are required, which helps reduce installation time and costs.

The PT relays ensure faster wiring, up to 60% faster than the screw termination style. To disconnect the wire, simply insert a screwdriver into the orange release key, push and release the wire. Our push-in technology creates a high degree of usability and includes a wide range of connections; from 26 to 14 AWG wire sizes.

SKF Insight™ ‘smart’ technology equips new bearings with continuous condition monitoring

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:26:59 +0000

SKF Insight™ introduces a groundbreaking innovation in “smart” technologies specially developed for integration into new SKF bearings.

This unique technology enables SKF bearings to communicate their operating conditions continuously – with all the intelligence integrated inside the bearing, including self-power, sensors, cables, and data acquisition electronics. This new integrated diagnostic technology can make condition monitoring more widely applicable, especially in applications where it was previously impractical or impossible. Ultimately, the technology provides greater control over the life cycle of machinery, leading to lower total costs while increasing reliability and machinery uptime.

SKF Insight technology monitors the conditions that can cause bearing damage from the first microscopic effect as it happens, allowing users to take remedial action to avoid increased damage in the bearing and prevent escalation. (Conventional condition monitoring measures parameters such as vibration and temperature, which indicate problems only after bearing damage has occurred.) In addition, by monitoring the load directly on the bearing, SKF Insight technology can measure the load actually experienced by the bearing to determine the direct effect of any changes in operating conditions, which could potentially have an adverse effect on the bearing.

Among key features, SKF Insight includes miniaturization and packaging of sensor technologies to measure critical parameters such as RPM, temperature, velocity, vibration, load, lubrication, and others; the “smart” bearings can generate their own power for operation; intelligent wireless technology packaged inside the bearing enables communication within environments where traditional Wi-Fi cannot operate; and the bearings can form a “mesh network” to send information relevant to their condition for analysis.

SKF Insight solutions also include SKF Asset Diagnostic Services, which connect users to SKF industry application knowledge, a global network of SKF Remote Diagnostic Centers, global IT solutions, and makes all application data accessible in a single cloud-based system. This collective data reflects a huge breadth of knowledge and experience in diagnosing and solving machinery reliability issues in applications across all major industries worldwide.

SKF Insight application-specific solutions are under trial with key industries, including wind energy, railways, and metals with others in development.

www.skf.com

SKF introduces Solid Oil bearing technology to withstand cold temperatures in food processing applications

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:25:07 +0000

SKF Solid Oil bearing technology provides an ideal lubrication solution for bearings to withstand cold operating temperature extremes and rapid temperature changes typically encountered in a wide range of food processing applications.

The technology can be applied to virtually every bearing type (including stainless steel) with sufficient internal free space. Ultimately, this eliminates any need for relubrication, minimizes ingress of potentially damaging contaminants, and resists most chemicals without emulsifying during harsh wash downs.

Resulting performance benefits include extended bearing service life, reduced equipment downtime, reduced maintenance costs associated with the application and disposal of lubricant, replacement parts, and time-consuming labor.

SKF Solid Oil consists of a polymer matrix saturated with lubricating oil that fills the internal space in a bearing and encapsulates the bearing’s cage and rolling elements. This minimizes the “breathing” phenomenon in a bearing (when air expands and contracts internally due to rapid temperature changes) and protects against entry of water or moisture during hygienic cleanings that can cause corrosion or grease emulsification in conventionally lubricated bearings. Since the polymer matrix contains two- to four-times more lubricating oil than standard grease-filled bearings, relubrication becomes unnecessary – especially advantageous when bearings are located in hard-to-reach areas where routine manual relubrication would prove difficult.

Food-safe SKF Solid Oil bearings are engineered to perform reliably in extreme temperature applications from -5º F to -49º F / -15º C to -45º C, withstand high centrifugal forces, and will not leak or otherwise contaminate the environment during production. Among available lubricants, NSF H1 approved or compliant selections are available down to -49º F / -45º C. Customized Solid Oil solutions can also be developed for high-temperature applications.

www.skf.com

New website helps users access POSITAL’s growing product portfolio

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:22:24 +0000

Hamilton, New Jersey – POSITAL has updated its web site to give customers a more convenient tool for specifying sensors that meet the exact requirements of their applications.

POSITAL’s position and motion sensors are based on a highly modular design philosophy that makes it possible to offer a very wide range of product configurations in a highly cost-effective manner. The product portfolio includes 40,000-plus rotary encoder variants, over 200 inclinometer models and more than 900 linear sensor configurations. This means that POSITAL can supply products that closely fit customer requirements. However, finding the ‘right’ product in a catalogue with over 40,000 entries can be a daunting proposition! POSITAL has simplified the task of locating the right product by adding a powerful and convenient product finder tool to the company’s newly revamped web site. Using this tool, customers specify the options they require; the tool narrows the search and provides detailed specifications for the products that meet these criteria. In the case of POSITAL’s IXARC rotary encoders for example, customers can choose among several measurement ranges, resolutions (steps per turn), communications interfaces, housing materials, degrees of ingress protection, shaft configurations, shaft diameters and flange designs. Options such as certification (CE/UL, ATEX, SIL) can also be specified. Once the right model has been selected, POSITAL’s streamlined ordering and production systems are able to deliver the finished product quickly, usually within 10 business days.

POSITAL’s new web site provides extensive support for users in 13 languages, reflecting the company’s commitment to global markets. See the new web site at www.posital.com.

About FRABA and POSITAL

FRABA Inc. is the North American member of the Netherlands-based FRABA Group, a family of enterprises focused on providing advanced products for position sensing and motion control in many sectors and applications. Business units within the FRABA group include POSITAL (rotary encoders, position sensors and inclinometers) and VITECTOR (safety assurance equipment).

www.fraba.com

Concerns raised as Ontario Government backs away from health & safety commitment

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:01:29 +0000

OTTAWA, ON – Engineers Canada and Professional Engineers Ontario are concerned over a decision by the Ontario government to reverse a three-year legislative health & safety commitment.

It would have brought Ontario in line with other provinces and territories in terms of health and safety in the workplace.

"This is a disappointing decision, for PEO, Engineers Canada and for the 11 other regulators of the engineering profession across the country," said Kim Allen, chief executive officer of Engineers Canada. "It is difficult to understand why it is acceptable for Ontario to have a lower standard than other provinces and territories when it comes to protecting its workers."

The repeal of section 12(3)(a) would prevent individuals who are not professional engineers from undertaking work that falls within the practice of professional engineering in relation to machinery or equipment for use in the facilities of the person's employer, in the production of products by the person's employer

"I urge the Government of Ontario to reconsider their position and proclaims this section of the Open for Business Act, 2010 as soon as possible," said Allen.

The repeal of section 12(3)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act in Ontario, as passed in the Open for Business Act, 2010 would bring Ontario in line with other Canadian jurisdictions.

Engineers Canada is the business name of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers and is the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulate the practice of engineering in Canada and license the country's more than 260,000 members of the engineering profession.

Social media use tops CFPA, manufacturers agenda

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:37:01 +0000

MONTREAL – Social media topped the agenda at the Canadian Fluid Power Association (CFPA) Annual Eastern Meeting on June 6th at Novotel Montréal Aéroport.

Photo: For CFPA Eastern Meeting in Montreal, two other CFPA administrators, Ted O’Donnell, Rexroth Regional Manager Ontario Hydraulics, and Luigi Broccoli, Stauff Regional Manager accompanied John Lamb (right).

About 15 manufacturers attended a workshop about social media hosted by Rachel Stephan, president of Les Sens Créatifs (LSC)/Event Marketing.

The first objective of this workshop was to help manufacturers to enlarge their global networks in participating to discussions with millions of people through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, to also help them to target their customers by way of these social media.

Participants noticed their social media use vary depending of media type they are using, according to John Lamb, Festo Industry Segment Manager, Natural Resources, and CFPA Chairman.

"Rachel Stephan introduced main existing social media and participants pointed out that they use Facebook exclusively at personal ends and LinkedIn for professional aims. For them, it’s two different universes and they prefer to maintain a hermetic mark to avoid all kind of trouble, risk or appearance of conflicts of interest," said Lamb to DPN.

"About Twitter, manufacturers consider it like a mix between Facebook and LinkedIn. Most of them don’t understand Twitter and don’t see the benefits of it, but they recognize that Facebook is mainly a good vehicle to promote their company social image in the public," added Lamb.

CCTT National Technology Conference

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:19:01 +0000

Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT) presents the National Technology Conference in Winnipeg from September 26-28, 2013.

The National Technology Conference will bring together business leaders, educators and skilled technicians from across all sectors in order to ensure that the workforce of the future is ready for the challenges that lie ahead. More details can be found at cctt.ca or by contacting CCTT at 1-800-891-1140 ext 224.

HARTING PushPull Signal connectors for low voltage, analog and bus

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:03:53 +0000

HARTING new PushPull Signal connectors assure reliable, uniform transmission of low voltage, analog and bus. They come in plastic or nickel-plated zinc housings and are ideal for outdoor or harsh indoor installations, like quality control or CCTV camera systems.

Nova Scotia paper manufacturer gets $11 million in provincial help

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:39:21 +0000

HANTSPORT, N.S. - The Nova Scotia government has announced just over $11 million to help a manufacturing business in Hantsport purchase new machinery and upgrade its equipment.

The province will lend CKF Inc. $8.7 million toward a planned $16.5-million upgrade and expansion and will provide another $2.6 million in incentive grants over the next year, as the company completes the capital upgrades. The government says the expansion is expected to create 30 new jobs.
The company, founded in 1933 by businessman and entrepreneur R.A. Jodrey, manufactures a wide range of moulded pulp and foam products for retailers, food service operators and the packaging industry. They include the Royal Chinet line of paper plates, egg cartons and Tim Hortons cup trays.
The plant currently employs 260 people.
(Halifax Chronicle Herald)

Extruder company Alexandria Industries makes world’s longest Hot Wheels toy race track

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:05:52 +0000

ALEXANDRIA, MN – Having fun with its serious aluminum extruding expertise, Alexandria Industries created the world’s longest toy track for the Hot Wheels World’s Best Driver Championship held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the eve of the Indy 500.

The track consisted of four one-mile-long lanes arranged side by side in a giant oval, powder coated in the iconic Hot Wheels orange. While it was fun to be a part of, the project’s 1,494 straight and curved track sections demanded engineering expertise and close attention to dimensions and tolerances to ensure each section fits perfectly.

Alexandria Industries team members created each section with aluminum extruding. The process involved heating a billet—or log—of aluminum and pushing it through a die creating the track shape. To make the precision curved sections, team members enclosed the track in a custom, form-fitting plastic mold and used a process called stretch-forming, which stretches the extrusion around the form tool to keep its track shape while bending.

“This project brought out the kid in our entire team,” said Tom Schabel, CEO, Alexandria Industries. “Working with Mattel to provide engineering assistance and create a new world record while bringing joy to so many young racing fans during the Indy 500 weekend was an honor.”

The track was assembled on the front straightaway of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where four kids raced toy-size cars during Saturday evening’s championship. Christopher Bienusa, a 12-year-old from Alexandria, MN, emerged as the victor.

Fun facts about the track:

· 4,674 pounds of aluminum were used to make the track. That’s enough aluminum for 149,568 cans of soda, which if laid end to end, would be longer than 3,432 Indy race cars parked end to end.

· In the extrusion process, the aluminum was heated to 900 degrees Fahrenheit – about the same temperature as the surface of Venus.

· 1,056 Hot Wheels speed boosters are mounted along the track to propel the toy cars.

· Four 1:64-scale diecast Hot Wheels Camaros were raced on the track.

· 9.07 mph top speed for a 1:64 toy car equals 580 mph for life-size scale car

About Alexandria Industries

Alexandria Industries, with ISO 9001:2008-certified facilities, is a privately held, high-quality, short lead-time producer of engineered products. From prototype development through final production, Alexandria Industries delivers customized aluminum extrusions, precision machining of ferrous and non-ferrous products, heatsinks, high-level assemblies, welding, and plastic injection and foam molding components that meet customers' exact specifications. A single call to any of the Alexandria Industries companies provides access to the collective scope of services and products, simplifying supply chain management.